AAP Punjab Chief Disavows Sisodia’s Election Tactics
Sisodia’s Tactics Not AAP’s, Says Arora
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president Aman Arora has publicly distanced the party from controversial remarks made by senior leader Manish Sisodia regarding the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Sisodia’s alleged comments, invoking “saam, daam, dand, bhed” (persuasion, inducement, punishment, division) and suggesting the use of “truth, lies, fights, and quarrels” to secure victory, have ignited fierce criticism from opposition parties, prompting Arora to clarify AAP’s stance.
The controversy erupted after a video from an AAP women’s wing training session in Mohali on August 13 surfaced, showing Sisodia purportedly saying, “2027 ke chunav jitvane ke liye saam, daam, dand, bhed, sach, jhooth, question, answer, ladai, jhagra, jo karna padega, karenge. Taiyaar hain?” (To win the 2027 elections, we will use all means—truth, lies, questions, answers, fights, quarrels, whatever it takes. Are you ready?). Opposition leaders from Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) shared the clip widely, accusing Sisodia of endorsing unethical and undemocratic tactics.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar escalated the matter, writing to the Election Commission on August 16 to demand an FIR against Sisodia, his disqualification from future elections, and a ban on his public speeches. Jakhar argued that the remarks “mock the values of peace, freedom, and integrity” and reveal AAP’s intent to “undermine the democratic process.” SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal called for AAP to be barred from contesting in Punjab, labeling the comments a “brazen admission” of deceitful strategies. Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also criticized Sisodia, asserting that Punjabis cannot be swayed by such tactics.
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Addressing reporters on Monday, Arora firmly rejected the remarks as reflective of AAP’s ideology. “The video is not the party’s ideology. Arvind Kejriwal has always emphasized that we will seek votes based on our work,” he stated, highlighting the Bhagwant Mann government’s development efforts. Arora stressed that no individual, including himself, Sisodia, or Chief Minister Mann, represents the entirety of AAP. “I am saying in my individual capacity that this is neither Kejriwal’s ideology nor the party’s, and perhaps not Sisodia’s either. The issue has been blown out of context,” he added.
AAP insiders claim the video was edited to misrepresent Sisodia’s speech, which was part of a training program to counter opposition propaganda. The party has not issued an official response from Sisodia, but Arora’s comments aim to refocus attention on AAP’s governance record, including free electricity, job creation, and investments in healthcare and education.
As Punjab’s political landscape heats up ahead of 2027, the incident underscores the challenges AAP faces in maintaining its image as a party of ethical governance amidst fierce opposition scrutiny.
